After flying halfway around the world to attend a strategic gathering last month, I found myself sitting across the table from a woman I’ll call “Blessing” in a crowded hotel café. Blessing is a believer from an unreached people group that has historically been very resistant to the Gospel.
Sitting together at a small table, she leaned forward as she shared that she runs a safehouse for believers who are facing extreme persecution for their faith. Blessing has already been arrested twice this year. And yet, she remains passionate and unwavering in sharing her faith.
Together we reflected on God’s promises, including Philippians 1:29 which says,
“For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for him.”
With tears in our eyes, we recited this verse together from memory. Let’s continue to remember Blessing, and others like her, who are standing firm despite incredible challenges.
The strategic gathering we met at is a conference for a global network of more than 600 missionaries, church planters, strategists, pastors, broadcasters, evangelists and others who are working to expand the Kingdom in the Middle East and North Africa.
Joe, Jakes, and I went to meet with existing partners as well as to make new connections with several other people like Blessing and organizations in the region to see how we can collaborate to strengthen and equip leaders to thrive in leadership as they help fulfill the Great Commission in the MENA region.
Partnership
I was overwhelmed by the spirit of not just collaboration, but mutuality and generosity that pervaded the meetings I had daily.
While at the conference, we had the chance to talk with several key leaders throughout the MENA region about what it would look like for A3 to not only enter the region, but to come with a posture of humility, wanting to learn from MBBs (Muslim Background Believers) and others who have been working in the region.
God answered our prayers abundantly and we’ll have a strategic meeting later this year to brainstorm with these catalytic leaders how we can join and support them in developing leaders of Christlike character.
New Ways
One approach that we’ve seen a lot of impact with at my previous organization is through using social media to find seekers and people of peace who are eager to learn more about Jesus. One of the people I met with in Malta is using TikTok to engage Muslims with content about Jesus.
In a similar way to others using this strategy, this person is getting lots of responses and requests for follow up. He has a team working with him and was wondering if A3 might be able to come alongside his team to do leadership development.
It was a welcome reminder that as the Gospel goes forth and the Kingdom advances, there is a overwhelming need for Christlike leaders in every sphere of society.
Resilience
While at the conference, we had several meetings with organizations who support the persecuted church.
They were thrilled to learn about the Resilient Leaders Retreats that A3 hosts and reinforced how needed those were. We are excited to share the materials that we’ve developed with others!
In many of the places we work and are expanding into, following Jesus comes at a high cost. We desire to equip leaders and strengthen their resilience, as they in turn encourage others to remain steadfast in the faith.
Open Doors
Having spent several years focused on the Middle East and North Africa region, I was deeply encouraged by stories of how God is at work in these countries! As we long to see Jesus worshiped by people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, we are thrilled by the doors God is opening for A3 in the MENA region.
Thank you for your continued partnership which is allowing us to step through these open doors!
So that all may hear,
Janelle Stoops
U.S. PRESIDENT OF A3
JANELLE STOOPS has been serving as A3's U.S. President since January 2026. Janelle graduated with honors from UCLA with a B.A. in communication studies before studying Bible for a year at Talbot Seminary. At 23 she moved to Kazakhstan as part of a church-planting team. There she met her husband, and after marrying and having two kids, they moved sight unseen to Uzbekistan where they saw a church planted. Since returning to the U.S., Janelle has served in a variety of roles with Frontiers, including as the Director of Strategy Coordination for the International Office as well as Co-Director of the U.S. Sending Base. She has an M.A. in organizational leadership and serves on the board of Cafe 1040.
@janelle.stoops
@janelle.stoops
@janellestoops
Header photo of Malta courtesy of Nick Fewings on Unsplash
Inset photo courtesy of MENA globe courtesy of Ibrahima Toure on Unsplash
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